Aston Villa will host a battle this weekend. ‘The battle of the Belgians’. This weekend two of the youngest, most exciting strikers in the Premier League come fact-to-face. On the right corner, we have the 20-year old, weighing in at 93 kg, Romelu Lukaku. In the left corner, the 22-year old, weighing in at 83 kg, Christian Benteke. These two Belgian’s are not only competing to score the most goals in the Premier League this season. But their also battling for the number 12 shirt in a very exciting Belgium side for this summer World Cup.
These two strikers immensely impressed last season. Benteke managed to net 19 goals last season, while Lukaku hit 17 goals. This season, the odds are currently favouring Lukaku. The younger-Belgian has scored 4 goals in 4 appearances. Benteke has scored the same amount of goals, but has made 6 appearances for Aston Villa. Lukaku is also currently the 8th best Premier League player, according to Whoscored (rating of 7.65). Benteke, meanwhile holds the 35th position (rating of 7.32).
But, it appears as though the older Belgian has more to offer. Benteke is excellent at arial duels, he’s very good at finishing, headers, through-balls and long passes. Lukaku holds an advantage over technical ability, Lukaku is a very good dribbler who can occasionally offer a glimmer of skill. Lukaku, likewise his international colleague is also very strong in the air. Interestingly, both forwards struggle with offside awareness, with Lukaku arguably struggling a tiny bit more.
The paragraph above has indicated (to myself at the very least), that Benteke offers more to a team and is, as a result, the stronger and better Belgian. Does that mean he will win the battle of the Belgians? Perhaps not, but so far this season he has shown to the world that he has managed to continue his form in the Premier League and he’ll continue to get better and better. Lukaku, is showing a lot of promise and has bag loads of ability. Lukaku may not be a team player to the same extent as Benteke, but he is a game-changing player. Lukaku can create something out of nothing, there aren’t many players who can do that. Both forwards have a common goal at the end of the season, out-score each other and insure that they are in the starting 11 for Belgian in Brazil. Currently it’s a tie, and with two forwards on a pitch eager to impress; fans could witness a very exciting game.
To be fair, if I was the Belgain manager, I would try and get both in the same team…with Hazard and co. behind them, would be very hard to stop!
I’d agree with Lukaku being the better all-round football player of the two but Benteke is the better out and out finisher (imo) a priceless quality.
im expecting both of these guys to score tomorrow, hopefully 3 for tekkers and 1 for lukaku then 🙂
Lol and amen to that.
I think Wilmots prefers Mirallas to play with one or the other and Benteke seems to be in pole position for the national side at the moment.
I would have Benteke in the side over Lukaku all day, he is a beast and you could see on Sunday that his presence terrifies a defence.
Let’s hope he shines tomorrow and proves his point.
I would never have guessed that Lukaku is heavier, that was a surprise to me. Benteke looks solid as a rock.
I’ve heard the same, Benteke currently has a small advantage over Lukaku in the national side.
I was a little surprised to find out Lukaku was that much heavier than Benteke. But if you look at Benteke, he appears to be rather slim. Lukaku is a little bit more built up
Did anyone watch the games lastnight, how did we not look at Jonjo Shelvey, he is only 21 and have to say good creative player in that midfield roll, to me just what Villa could have done with.
Don’t be silly Bill he’d have wanted more than 2 bob a week and Randy would have shit himself.
He also costed the Swans 5 million.
I personally wouldn’t want Shelvey here. I’d rather have spent the money trying to get Tom Rogic and Marco Rojas to join Aston Villa! To very exciting, young players
Adam that’s why we are where we are, I watched that game last night man with brains in the game, you said it yourself Kea goes nowhere with the ball, no creation with the ball,BWS said as to why we failing to go forward in the game ,tight arsed in Lerner, and Lambert.
Suppose your right on that Bill, but them are players with brains, I wonder what he is getting?.
According to match income.com just over £45 grand a week, to rich for Randy’s blood me thinks.
I wouldn’t have wanted Shelvey.
Looked awful at Liverpool, and out of his depth at Swansea in the Premiership games I’ve seen him in.
Didn’t see the Europa game but I don’t think that the Swans were playing one of Europe’s giants.
His form doesn’t appear to be very consistent either. I’d maybe buy him for 2-3 million pounds and for a wage of roughly 25-30k a week. He’d definitely offer something more than El Ahmadi, Westwood and Delph.